Bay County Chamber of Commerce

235 West 5th Street

Panama City, FL 32401

Phone: 850.785.5206

Fax: 850.763.6229

Governmental Affairs Update May 8, 2013

May 13, 2013

This
periodic update is intended to keep you informed on issues impacting your
business and our community. We encourage you to stay in tune on these
activities and to communicate with our elected officials. In addition,
you will receive "ACTION ALERTS" during session, or on a local level,
as issues arise and we need mass communication with our elected
leadership. When the time comes, please respond quickly as our officials
need prompt input from their constituents.

Thank
you for making Bay County a better place to live, work and play!

Governmental Affairs Update May 8

We have had a full couple of
weeks in Governmental Affairs! Here are some of the events that have been going
on over the past month.

Wrap-Up of Legislative Session

The Florida Legislative Session
ended last Friday, May 3, with several new pieces of legislation sitting on the
governor's desk. Many of these bills have been part of the Chamber's
Legislative Agenda over the past few years and we are excited that they are
finally getting put into law! Here are some of the pieces of legislation
waiting to be signed:

·Prohibiting Local Governments from Holding Referendums on land use
rules (SB 582/HB 537)

·Increased
use of Public/Private Partnerships for Public Buildings and Infrastructure
Projects (HB 85/ SB 84)

Thank you everyone who wrote
letters to our state representatives, and thank you to Representatives Marti
Coley and Jimmy Patronis, Senator Don Gaetz, and Speaker Weatherford for a good
legislative session. Also, a special thanks to Joe Tannehill, Jr. and Wayne
Stubbs for testifying on behalf of the Chamber's position on eliminating the
manufacturing sales tax in Tallahassee.

For more information on the
2013 Legislative Session, read the Florida Chamber summary here. Also, watch out for our article on the session in the
July Bay Biz!

Southerland Commemorates Bay County's 100 Years

U.S. Representative Steve
Southerland addressed the House of Representatives on April 24 to honor Bay
County's Centennial and rich history. He spoke of the wonders and gifts of Bay
County, praising the county's schools, military installations, and close-knit
community.

"On
this date, April 24, 2013, the day of Bay County's Centennial, I am proud to
join with friends, neighbors, my family, and local and county officials from
Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, Springfield, Parker, Callaway,
Mexico Beach, and the unincorporated areas of our county to celebrate our proud
past and bright future as we work hard to make Bay County a better place to
live, work, and play," Southerland closed.

On April 24, the anniversary of
the founding of Bay County, the Florida House of Representatives honored Bay
County's Centennial by passing House Resolution 9079, honoring local residents,
community leaders, and public officials for one hundred years of history! The
resolution was sponsored by our very own Representative Jimmy Patronis and will
presented to the Bay County Board of Commissioners and each county
constitutional official. Representative Patronis released a press statement
saying, "I am privileged to have had the opportunity to recognize and
honor Bay County and its residents on this historic day. Bay County truly is
the epitome of what makes our state so great."

To see Representative Patronis'
press release and more information about the resolution, please clickhere.

Local Appointments

The Chamber congratulates Bo
Rivard and Wayne Lindsey for their appointments earlier this month. Mr. Rivard
was chosen to serve on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
and Mr. Lindsey is representing the Chamber on the Bay County Transportation
Planning Organization. We know you will do a great job!

The mission of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce is to create superior value for all chamber members large and small, cultivate economic and personal development, promote and protect a competitive system of business, be a community leader while embracing Bay County’s opportunities and challenges.